Our Bureau
Poland
India’s Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra showcased his trademark resilience, securing a hard-fought second place at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial meet in Poland on Friday. Competing in cold and wet conditions at the Silesian Stadium, Chopra delivered his best throw of 84.14 meters in the final round, climbing from third to second in a dramatic finish.
The challenging weather played a significant role, with slippery run-ups and persistent drizzle hampering athletes’ performances. Chopra, who has consistently thrown beyond 85 meters in recent years, found the going tough. He opened with a foul, followed by a modest 81.28 meters in his second attempt. Despite consulting his coach, Jan Zelezny, mid-competition, Chopra continued to struggle, recording two more fouls and an 81.40-meter throw in the fifth round.
It was in his sixth and final attempt that the reigning Olympic champion found his rhythm, launching the javelin to 84.14 meters. While it was a rare sub-85m outing for Chopra—only the sixth such instance since his Tokyo Olympics triumph in 2021—it was enough to secure the silver medal.
Germany’s Julian Weber, a familiar rival and recent Doha Diamond League winner, dominated the event with an impressive 86.12-meter throw in the second round. Weber further cemented his lead with two more throws over 85 meters, finishing as the standout performer of the night. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion, claimed third place with a best effort of 83.24 meters.
Despite the challenging conditions, Chopra’s ability to deliver under pressure once again demonstrated his world-class pedigree. The Indian star will now shift his focus to upcoming competitions in Paris (Diamond League, June 20) and Ostrava (Golden Spike, June 24), where he will look to return to his record-breaking form as the season progresses.
